Petal Length Research Articles

Development of combine harvester adaptive devices for obtaining high-quality seeds when soybeans harvesting

In increasing soybean production, an important role is given to reducing indirect losses from grain crushing, which adversely affect the quality of seeds, especially when harvesting and processing crops. The impossibility of achieving the optimal mode of operation of the combine at soybean harvesting is due to the peculiarity of the physical and mechanical properties of soybeans. The purpose of the research is to increase the efficiency of the soybean grain harvesting technology based on the development of adapting devices to the combine to obtain the maximum yield of the first fraction of high-quality seeds, followed by their use in sowing without part-time processing (except for pre-sowing etching). The studies were carried out using the modernized Yenisei-1200 combine during the harvesting period 2021-2022 on the experimental field of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the Federal Research Center of the All-Russian Research Institute of Soybeans. Modernization of the combine makes it possible to collect 60% of high-quality soybean seeds with a low content of weed impurity in a separate section of its bunker. Ripened soybean seeds are soaked in soft modes of operation of the first threshing drum, a separate collection of which increases field germination and biological yield of the first seed fraction. Application of sieves of upper sieve mill of combine harvester cleaning with increased length of blinds petals up to 70 mm together with increased air flow ensures purity of seeds of the first fraction at the level of the first class of sowing standard. Mechanical damage to soybean seeds of the first fraction, which is 4.2%, does not exceed the established standard for crushing and microdepositing combines (5%). The use of seeds of the first fraction in sowing without additional processing reduces the indirect losses of soybeans and, accordingly, the costs of seed production.Ripened soybean seeds are soaked in soft modes of operation of the first threshing drum, a separate collection of which increases field germination and biological yield of the first seed fraction. Application of sieves of upper sieve mill of combine harvester cleaning with increased length of louver petals up to 70 mm together with increased air flow ensures purity of seeds of the first fraction at the level of the first class of sowing standard. Mechanical damage to soybean seeds of the first fraction, which make 4.2%, does not exceed the established standard for crushing and micro damage combines (5%). Using the seeds of the first fraction in sowing without working, reduces indirect losses of soybeans and, accordingly, the costs of seed production.

Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand

Thirteen species of Friesodielsia Steenis (Annonaceae) and 11 representatives of related genera were included in molecular phylogenetic analyses using up to six plastid DNA regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF intergenic spacers; trnL intron; matK, ndhF, rbcL exons). The results support the recognition of a new species, F. lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku from Narathiwat, S Thailand, as belonging to one of the two major clades of Friesodielsia. The members of this clade show outer petals that separate at anthesis and have a concave basal portion, while members in the other major clade exhibit outer petals that separate early during developmental stages and have a flat base. Friesodielsia lalisae is described and illustrated. It is most morphologically similar to F. argentea (J. Sinclair) Steenis and F. glauca (Hook. f. & Thomson) Steenis but differs from the two by having dissimilar sepal shape, higher proportion of inner petal to outer petal length and longer inner petals. The new species additionally differs from the former by having different leaf base and from the latter by having denser indumentum on young twigs and shorter flowering pedicels. Narathiwat, a province to which the new species is endemic, seems to be one of the most underexplored areas in Thailand as evidenced by a number of species described based on recent material. The conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered. Citation: Damthongdee A., Khunarak N., Kaeokula S., Saengpho C., Wiya C., Ue-aree P., Baka A., Aongyong K. & Chaowasku T. 2023: Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae) a new species from S Thailand. – Willdenowia 53: 45–55. Version of record first published online on 10 April 2023 ahead of inclusion in April 2023 issue.

Novel hybrids with floral scent between Lagerstroemia caudata and three L. indica cultivars

L. caudata, native to China, is valued for its floral fragrance while flower size and color still negatively affects their economic value. In this study, three L. indica cultivars ‘Bai Yun Ying Xia’, ‘Qiao Jia Ren’ and ‘Fen Hu Die’ with diverse flower traits were chosen to make cross with L. caudata. Finally, a total of 2832 crosses were obtained, including interspecific, backcross and self-pollination combinations between L. caudata and L. indica. Nearly 260 hybrid seedlings were survived. Hybridity was confirmed by both morphological comparison and simple sequence repeat markers (SSR) technique. All obtained interspecific seedlings were generally intermediate in morphological traits of their parents, but variable in leaf blade length, leaf blade width, leaf blade length/width ratio, flower diameter, flower claw length, petal length, flower color and floral fragrance. Our results suggested that it is possible to optimize floral fragrance of Lagerstroemia cultivars by using L. caudata and the hybrids obtained in this study. These findings could be served as the basis for the development of superior plants with unique combinations of ornamental traits.

Ovule Number and Flower Size in Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Variation, Heritability, and Correlation with Some Components of Productivity

The seed yield in pea (Pisum sativum L.) depends on numerous environmental and genotypic factors. The ongoing climate changes draw one’s attention to genetics and variation of underexplored reproductive traits. This study focuses on ovule number (ON) and flower size expressed as a length of flag petal (FL), in terms of their heritability, variability, and correlation with 1000 seed mass (TSM), seed number per pod, and seed/ovule ratio. A set of pea accessions was planted over several years in field conditions. Some of these accessions were also grown in a glasshouse. The chosen values were scored on living plants or while harvesting seeds. Nonparametric statistical methods were applied. Heritability of ON and FL was studied in five hybrid F1/F2 combinations. We found a relatively low (ca. 0.5) broad sense heritability of both ON and FL. Among other traits, TSM and ON reproduced best over the years. FL exhibited no reproducible correlations with other traits and cannot be used as a predictor of productivity. Water deficit and heat stress reduce seed yield in pea due to both seed abortion and development of fewer ovules. The differential and heritable ability to retain ON may become a basis for breeding pea cultivars adapted to changing climate.

Phenotypic divergence of traits that mediate antagonistic and mutualistic interactions between island and continental populations of the tropical plant, Tribulus cistoides (Zygophyllaceae).

Island systems have long served as a model for evolutionary processes due to their unique species interactions. Many studies of the evolution of species interactions on islands have focused on endemic taxa. Fewer studies have focused on how antagonistic and mutualistic interactions shape the phenotypic divergence of widespread nonendemic species living on islands. We used the widespread plant Tribulus cistoides (Zygophyllaceae) to study phenotypic divergence in traits that mediate antagonistic interactions with vertebrate granivores (birds) and mutualistic interactions with pollinators, including how this is explained by bioclimatic variables. We used both herbarium specimens and field-collected samples to compare phenotypic divergence between continental and island populations. Fruits from island populations were larger than on continents, but the presence of lower spines on mericarps was less frequent on islands. The presence of spines was largely explained by environmental variation among islands. Petal length was on average 9% smaller on island than continental populations, an effect that was especially accentuated on the Galápagos Islands. Our results show that Tribulus cistoides exhibits phenotypic divergence between island and continental habitats for antagonistic traits (seed defense) and mutualistic traits (floral traits). Furthermore, the evolution of phenotypic traits that mediate antagonistic and mutualistic interactions partially depended on the abiotic characteristics of specific islands. This study shows the potential of using a combination of herbarium and field samples for comparative studies on a globally distributed species to study phenotypic divergence on island habitats.

Flower colour and antioxidant activity of violas (Viola × wittrockiana) as edible flowers

ABSTRACT Edible flowers represent rich sources of nutritional and phytochemical compounds. Violas (Viola × wittrockiana) have been confirmed to be non-toxic as food products. Based on the wide variety of flower colours, major differences may exist in antioxidant concentrations among flowers of different colours. This study examined the differences in concentrations of antioxidant components in viola flowers of eight different colours: white, red, dark red, orange, yellow, light blue, light purple, and dark purple. Flower fresh weight, petal length, petal colour (measured using a chroma metre), ascorbic acid concentration, total anthocyanin concentration, total polyphenol concentration, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity were analysed. The violas used in this study had a wide range of colours, with different lightness and chroma values. Ascorbic acid, total anthocyanin, and total polyphenol concentrations were higher in red, dark red, and dark purple flowers. In contrast, these concentrations were lower in white and light-coloured flowers. The DPPH radical-scavenging activity was also lower in white and light-coloured flowers. Therefore, red, dark red, and dark purple flowers rather than white and light-coloured flowers of violas represent rich sources of antioxidant components and their consumption may provide various health benefits.

Anatomical variability and population structure of Cucumis melo L. accessions collected from Iran

Melon (Cucumis melo) is one of the most important cultivated cucurbits. In this project, the genetic variability among 14 accessions of melon collected by the authors has been studied using 23 anatomical characteristics across 2 consecutive years as well as 146 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant effects on genotype and year ? genotype effects. Among examined anatomical characters, the highest CV% values across two years belonged to fruit store at room temperature (88.96%, 103.6%) and total fruit weight (42.2%, 40.00%), while the lowest CV% values were observed in flower petal width (0.31%, 0.21%), flower petal length (0.28%, 0.49%), and peduncle length (0.40%, 0.19%). Classification of melon accessions based on anatomical characteristics using the Ward method produced three groups. The highest Jaccard?s similarity coefficient (0.76) was observed between accessions ?Atashi koluche? and ?Atashi miyaneh? and the lowest value (0.49) was found between accessions ?Bakermellon? and ?Mashhadi? with the mean value of 0.59. In this study, OPA06 and OPB13 primers possessed greater efficiency in the genetic evaluation of the studied germplasm. Analysis of population structure, which imply on the existence of admixture in the studied melon germplasm, revealing three subpopulations. Accession ?Sabzevari? identified as mixed subgroups. From the breeder?s view, the introduced heterotic groups can be utilized in parental selection for the construction of mapping population and the identified population structure can prevent any false positive output in marker-trait association studies of melon.

Phenotypic Diversity Analysis of the Progeny Variation of a ‘Mosaic Leaf’ Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Based on Flower Organ Characteristics

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum is a common landscape plant. Because of the preference for the ‘red leaf’ trait, the ‘flower color’ trait was ignored in breeding, and the genetic diversity of L. chinense var. rubrum was replaced by a few genotypes. Therefore, the potential value of flower color traits was affected, and the genetic diversity was not fully exploited. In this study, we utilized a cultivar with mosaic-colored flowers and leaves and observed 15 phenotypic traits in its flower organs and its progeny, as well as a total of 60 different flower color materials. We analyzed the variation characteristics and diversity of flower colors, and qualitatively described and preliminarily classified flower colors using the ISCC-NBS and CIELab systems to explore the correlation with the flower color phenotype from the distribution and content of anthocyanins. The phenotypic diversity of the flower organs was enriched, and genetic differences in flower color were significant for the L.chinense var. rubrum, with most of the 15 phenotypic traits showing significant positive correlations, and the most critical phenotypes are sepal, petal and nectary color, as well as petal length. According to the CIELab color system and anthocyanin content and distribution characteristics, it is considered more accurate and convenient to classify the color phenotypes of L. chinense var. rubrum flowers into five categories. In this study, for the first time, the flower organ phenotype of L. chinense var. rubrum has been systematically analyzed, and it is explored as a reference method for breeding new cultivars of a diverse range of colors in L. chinense var. rubrum.

Redefinition of the genera Opissaster Pomel, 1883 and Gregoryaster Lambert, 1907 (Order Spatangoida, Suborder Paleopneustina, Family Schizasteridae), from the Oligo-Miocene of Malta, Algeria and Sardinia

The extinct spatangoid echinoids Opissaster and Gregoryaster are apparently closely related on the basis of their overall morphology. However, the diagnostic features of these echinoids are uncertain and their systematic position has long been debated.They are distinguished mainly by the position of the apical system, the path of the peripetalous fasciole in the anterior ambulacra and the ratio between the length of anterior and posterior paired petals. However, other diagnostic features, including the arrangement of the oral test plates, have not been considered so far.The present work focuses on a revision of both genera based on the examination of the type species and of additional new material from various localities of the Oligocene and the Miocene of Malta, and the Miocene of Sardinia and Algeria.In addition to the morphological features commonly used, different aspects of the plating of some species belonging to the genera Opissater and Gregoryaster have been compared, highlighting the structural differences existing between them as we explain below.Both genera have an ethmolytic apical disc with 4 genital pores, consistently. Gregoryaster differs from Opissaster in shape and length of the labrum, which is in contact with two ambulacral plates, instead of one, along with in the course of the peripetalous fasciole in anterior interambulacra (2 and 3), and in having a vertically-elongated periproct. The ratio between the length of anterior and posterior paired petals seems unreliable for distinction at genus level. Specimens from the Lower Miocene of Sardinia, previously attributed to Gregoryaster coranguinum, are herein reassigned to a new species, Gregoryaster cabiddui sp. nov.Both genera are placed within the Family Schizasteridae, although this placement remains dubious for Gregoryaster.

Complex developmental and transcriptional dynamics underlie pollinator-driven evolutionary transitions in nectar spur morphology in Aquilegia (columbine).

Determining the developmental programs underlying morphological variation is key to elucidating the evolutionary processes that generated the stunning biodiversity of the angiosperms. Here, we characterized the developmental and transcriptional dynamics of the elaborate petal nectar spur of Aquilegia (columbine) in species with contrasting pollination syndromes and spur morphologies. We collected petal epidermal cell number and length data across four Aquilegia species, two with short, curved nectar spurs of the bee-pollination syndrome and two with long, straight spurs of the hummingbird-pollination syndrome. We also performed RNA-seq on A. brevistyla (bee) and A. canadensis (hummingbird) distal and proximal spur compartments at multiple developmental stages. Finally, we intersected these data sets with a previous QTL mapping study on spur length and shape to identify new candidate loci. The differential growth between the proximal and distal surfaces of curved spurs is primarily driven by differential cell division. However, independent transitions to straight spurs in the hummingbird syndrome have evolved by increasing differential cell elongation between spur surfaces. The RNA-seq data reveal these tissues to be transcriptionally distinct and point to auxin signaling as being involved with the differential cell elongation responsible for the evolution of straight spurs. We identify several promising candidate genes for future study. Our study, taken together with previous work in Aquilegia, reveals the complexity of the developmental mechanisms underlying trait variation in this system. The framework we established here will lead to exciting future work examining candidate genes and processes involved in the rapid radiation of the genus.

Genetic and Morphological Diversity Assessment of Five Kalanchoe Genotypes by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR Markers.

Determining the appropriate parents for breeding programs is the most important decision that plant breeders must make to maximize the genetic variability and produce excellent recombinant genotypes. Several methods are used to identify genotypes with desirable phenotypic features for breeding experiments. In this study, five kalanchoe genotypes were morphologically characterized by assessing plant height, number of inflorescences, number of flowers, flower length, flower diameter and number of petals. The analysis showed the distinction of yellow kalanchoe in the plant height trait, while the orange kalanchoe was distinguished in the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers and flower length traits, whereas the violet kalanchoe possessed the largest flower diameter and the highest number of petals. The molecular profiling was performed by random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tools. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and the PCR reactions were performed using ten primers for each SCoT, ISSR and RAPD marker. Only four out of ten primers showed amplicon profiles in all PCR markers. A total of 70 bands were generated by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR with 35 polymorphic bands and 35 monomorphic bands. The total number of bands of RAPD, ISSR and SCoT was 15, 17 and 38, respectively. The polymorphism percentages achieved by RAPD, ISSR and SCoT were 60.25%, 15% and 57%, respectively. The cluster analysis based on morphological data revealed two clusters. Cluster I consisted of violet and orange kalanchoe, and cluster II comprised red, yellow and purple kalanchoe. Whereas the cluster analysis based on molecular data revealed three clusters. Cluster I included only yellow kalanchoe, cluster II comprised orange and violet kalanchoe while cluster III comprised red, and purple kalanchoe. The study concluded that orange, violet and yellow kalanchoe are distinguished parents for breeding economically valued traits in kalanchoe. Also, the study concluded that SCoT and RAPD markers reproduced reliable banding patterns to assess the genetic polymorphism among kalanchoe genotypes that consider the basis stone for genetic improvements in ornamental plants.

Identification and Genetic Mapping of Potential QTLs Conferring Heat Tolerance in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by Using Micro Satellite Marker’s Approach

High-temperature stress can cause serious abiotic damage that limits the yield and quality of cotton plants. Heat Tolerance (HT) during the different developmental stages of cotton can guarantee a high yield under heat stress. HT is a complex trait that is regulated by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study, the F2 population derived from a cross between MNH-886, a heat-tolerant cultivar, and MNH-814, a heat-sensitive variety, was used to map HT QTLs during different morphological stages in cotton. A genetic map covering 4402.7 cm, with 175 marker loci and 26 linkage groups, was constructed by using this F2 population (94 individuals). This population was evaluated for different 23 morpho-physiological HT contributing traits QTL analysis via composite interval mapping detected 17 QTLs: three QTLs each for Total Number of Sympodes (TNS), Length of Bract (LOB), and Length of Staminal-column (LOS); two QTLs for First Sympodial Node Height (FSH), and one QTL each for Sympodial Node Height (SNH), Percent Boll set on second position along Sympodia (PBS), Total Number of Nodes (TNN), Number of Bolls (NOB), Total Number of Buds (TNB), and Length of Petal (LOP). Individually, the QTLs accounted for 7.76%–36.62% of phenotypic variation. QTLs identified linked with heat tolerance traits can facilitate marker-assisted breeding for heat tolerance in cotton.

Genetic variability in Mysuru jasmine (Mysuru mallige): A GI crop of Mysuru

At the college of Horticulture, Mysuru, Karnataka, the study was conducted during 2018 kharif using RBD with two replications. Quantitative characters namely petiole length, leaf length, leaf breadth, bud length, bud breadth, flower diameter, flower stalks length or pedicel length, calyx length, the number of sepals/ calyx teeth, the number of whorls, the number of petals, petal length, the number of stamens, length of the anther, length of the filament, length of the style, length of the stigma, length of the corolla tube and flower bud weight were recorded. High (>20%) genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed for bud length, bud breadth, the number of whorls, the number of petals, pedicel length, length of corolla tube, length of filament, length of style, length of stigma and flower bud weight. Moderate (10 to 20%) GCV and PCV were observed for petiole length, leaf length, leaf breadth, flower diameter, calyx length, the number of calyx teeth, petal size and the number of stamen and length of the anther. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation was more than the genotypic co-efficient of variation for all characters studied. The  higher (>20%) values of genetic advance over mean (GAM) coupled with very high (>80%) estimates of heritability were observed for characters viz., bud length, bud breadth, flower diameter, calyx length, the number of calyx teeth, the number of whorls, the number of petals, petal size, pedicel length, length of the corolla tube, the number of stamens, length of anther, length of the filament, length of the style, length of the stigma and flower bud weight. Moderate heritability (40-60%) with low GAM was observed for petiole length. The variance due to genotypes was highly significant for all the characters except for length of the leaf. Keywords: Mysuru mallige, genetic advance heritability, PCV, GCV

A regulatory GhBPE-GhPRGL module maintains ray petal length in Gerbera hybrida

The molecular mechanism regulating petal length in flowers is not well understood. Here we used transient transformation assays to confirm that GhPRGL (proline-rich and GASA-like)—a GASA (gibberellic acid [GA] stimulated in Arabidopsis) family gene—promotes the elongation of ray petals in gerbera (Gerbera hybrida). Yeast one-hybrid screening assay identified a bHLH transcription factor of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, here named GhBPE (BIGPETAL), which binds to the GhPRGL promoter and represses its expression, resulting in a phenotype of shortened ray petal length when GhBPE is overexpressed. Further, the joint response to JA and GA of GhBPE and GhPRGL, together with their complementary expression profiles in the early stage of petal growth, suggests a novel GhBPE-GhPRGL module that controls the size of ray petals. GhPRGL promotes ray petal elongation in its early stage especially, while GhBPE inhibits ray petal elongation particularly in the late stage by inhibiting the expression of GhPRGL. JA and GA operate in concert to regulate the expression of GhBPE and GhPRGL genes, providing a regulatory mechanism by which ray petals could grow to a fixed length in gerbera species.

Preparation of aloe-like ordered mesoporous SnO2 with excellent gas sensing property to H2S

In this study, a kind of novel and uniform 3D aloe-like morphology SnO2 material was successfully synthesized, the breadth, thickness and length of aloe-like petals were about 230 ± 10 nm, 30 ± 5 nm and 600 ± 10 nm, respectively. The ordered mesoporous were distributed on the surface of the 3D aloe-like SnO2 material whose average pore diameter was about 3.6 nm. The optimum synthesis conditions were determined, and the morphology, structure and gas sensing performance toward H2S of the prepared material were tested. The 3D aloe-like SnO2 nanomaterial showed much excellent gas sensing performance to H2S at 190 °C, whose response to 100 ppm H2S reached to 48.3 (Ra/Rg), response time was only 3 s, and detection limit was as low as 0.5 ppm. Such excellent gas sensing performance was rarely reported in past reports for the single phase SnO2 material.

Evaluation of dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) genotypes for quality, yield and shelf life

The experiment on “Evaluation of dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) genotypes for quality, yield and shelf life” was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Sirsi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka during the year 2018 to 2019 with a view to find out the best genotypes for quality, yield and shelf life of dahlia. The genotype HUBD-30 recorded highest individual flower weight (15.33 g), flower diameter (13.52 cm) and length of petals (7.25 cm) whereas, maximum width of petal (3.05 cm) was registered in HUBD-19, highest stalk length (14.04 cm) was observed in the genotype HUBD-12, genotype HUBD-34 registered the more shelf life (6.30 days). Maximum number of flowers per plant (67.40) was observed in the genotype HUBD-26.

A new variety of Geranium ocellatum (Geraniaceae) from Uttarakhand, India

A new variety, Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum, is described here from Tehri district of Uttarakhand state, India. The new variety is readily distinguished from G. ocellatum var. ocellatum by its central white spot at the petal base, dichasial inflorescence and peduncle length. A detailed description, photographs and conservation status are provided for the new variety. A key to the varieties of G. ocellatum is also provided.

Study of Phenotypic Variability of Kachnar (Bauhinia spp.)

An investigation to Study of phenotypic variability of Kachnar (Bauhinia spp.) was conducted in the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, IGKV Raipur, Chhattisgarh, during the Rabi season of 2021–2022. Five species for the study were Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia acuminata, Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia tomentosa and Bauhinia variegata. Different growth characteristics including plant, leaf, flower, and fruit traits, were recorded. According to the findings, Bauhinia purpurea had the tallest plants followed by Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata, Bauhinia acuminata, and Bauhinia tomentosa. The longest and widest leaf was measured in Bauhinia purpurea 14.91and 12.04 respectively. Smallest and narrowest leaf was recorded in Bauhinia tomentosa 4.71 and 4.20 respectively. Among all the five species of Bauhinias highly pubescent leaf was discovered in Bauhinia tomentosa only. The Bauhinia acuminata's 3.96 long petiole had the record for being the longest while the Bauhinia tomentosa's 2.10 petiole had the smallest. The Bauhinia blakeana flower measuring 13.160.07 cm had the largest flowerdiameter while Bauhinia tomentosa 3.91 0.41 cm was the smallest. The only Bauhinia species with a pubescent flower bud was Bauhinia tomentosa. Longest petal, stamen and pistil length recorded in Bauhinia blakeana measuring 7.09, 4.8 and 6.91 respectively. Maximum pod length measuring 29.33 and maximum number of seeds per pod 11.90 was recorded in Bauhinia purpurea and minimum pod length measuring 9.25 in Bauhinia acuminata. Minimum number of seeds per pod recorded in Bauhinia acuminata. Bauhinia blakeana did not produce any pods as these species were infertile. The maximum seed weight was recorded in Bauhinia purpurea 30±0.87g and minimum in Bauhinia tomentosa 3.35±0.44g.

Investigation of crystalographic, morphological and photocatalytic behaviour of Ag doped CuS nanostructures

Intrinsic and extrinsic Cu1-xAgxS (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) nanostructures (NSs) have been successfully synthesized by a facile chemical co-precipitation method in the presence of 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline, which acts as a glazing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscope [High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM)] studies have been carried for crystallographic and morphological analyses of synthesized NSs, while spectroscopic studies [UV–visible absorption spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)] have been carried for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Recorded diffractograms reveal that the synthesized NSs crystalizes in wurtzite (hexagonal) structure having average crystallite size values of 7.36 nm and 6.50 nm for CuS and Cu0.9Ag0.1S, respectively. On the other hand, electron micrographs recorded for the morphological analysis indicate that pristine CuS NSs have flower like morphology with petal length ranging between 30 nm–50 nm along with width ranging between 10 nm–15 nm, whereas Cu0.9Ag0.1S nanostructures have rod like morphology with length and radius varying between 25 nm–70 nm and 6 nm–8 nm, respectively. Spectroscopic studies show that highly pure synthesized NSs have broad absorption profiles in the visible range of electromagnetic spectrum which make them a potential candidate to act as visible light initiated photo-catalysts. Photo-catalytic activity potential of the synthesized NSs has been studied under visible light irradiation using methylene blue (MB) dye as the test contaminant in aqueous media. Photocatalytic activity dependence on the dopant concentration have been thoroughly studied which reveal that the 0.1% Ag doped CuS NSs have maximum degradation of the MB dye ∼75.39%, proving it to be an efficient and cost effective nanophoto-catalyst for waste water treatment.

Petal ontogeny, structure, and pollination system of four Aquilegia species in Midwest China

The diversification of spur length in Aquilegia is often thought to be driven by pollinators. In this study, the morphology and pollination biology of four sympatric Aquilegia species distributed in China with different petal spur lengths were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and field observations and measurements. The morphology and spur lengths of the four Aquilegia species differed: Aquilegia kansuensis has long incurved spurs (14.82 ± 0.18 mm), A. rockii has long straight spurs (16.34 ± 0.18 mm), A. semicalcarata has short slender spurs (5.16 ± 0.17 mm), and A. ecalcarata is effectively spurless (1.20 ± 0.03 mm). Early petal development was similar among the species; petals undergo initiation and delayed development, resulting in mature petals with different spur lengths and morphologies via developmental remodeling. The long spurs of A. kansuensis and A. rockii were derived from an increased cell number and anisotropic cell expansion, with well-developed secretory tissue forming at the spur bottom. No secretory tissue formed in the spurs of A. semicalcarata and A. ecalcarata, even though their cell number increased. Although their spur morphology and nectary structure show considerable differences, the pollination systems of the four species are similar. Rhingia campestris is the dominant pollinator of A. kansuensis, A. semicalcarata, and A. ecalcarata, whereas Pipiza familiaris is the dominant pollinator of A. rockii. Both R. campestris and P. familiaris forage for pollen when visiting flowers. Given that the four species studied differ in spur length but are all pollinated by short proboscid pollinators, there is no obvious one-to-one correspondence between spur length and pollinator mouthpart length in A. rockii, A. kansuensis, A. semicalcarata and A. ecalcarata, which is similar to the pattern in the European Aquilegia alpina, and abiotic factors may be an important explanation for spur lengths in our study.